Mail marking and canceling device.



Patented Jan. 9, I900.-

E. M. JUDD. MAIL MARKING AND GANGELING DEVICE.

(Application filed Feb. 21, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Shaet l.

(No Model.)

[NVE TOR g Aharvzr No. 64!,018. Patented Jan. 9, I900.

E. M. JUDD.

MAIL MARKING AND GANCELING DEVICE.

(Application filed Feb. 21, 1899.) (N0 Modal.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES I I I [NVEN'TOR Tm: u'cams nzrzns co.. wore-Lima, WAsmNsYon, n. 1;

Patented Jan. 9, I900.

E. M. JUDD.

MAIL MARKING AND CANCELING DEVICE.

(Application filed Feb, 21, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

' [NVENTOR A tlorney No. 64|,0I8. Patented Ian. 9, I900, E. M. JUDD. MAIL MARKING AND GANCELING DEVICE.

(Application filed F eb. 21, 1899.)

5 SheetsSheel 4.

( No Model.)

[N VEN TOR Patented Jan. 9, I900. E. M. JUDD. MAIL MARKING AND CANGELING DEVICE.

(Application filed Feb. 21, 1899.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets8heet 5.

: n W 5 13 Q5 i Hill 12 i g a .4

nu-" w i llmz 6 15 I IH 15 E J J I VITNESSES INVE TOR WAS EDWARD M. JUDD, OF \VALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT.

MAIL MARKING AND CANCELING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,018, dated January 9, 1900. Application filed February 21, 1899. Serial No. 706,358. (No model.)

To rtZZ whom it mcty concern..-

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. JUDD, of Wallingford, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail Marking and Canceling Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in mail-marking and stamp-cancelin g machines, the object being to provide. a power-machine with means for markingmail-matter with the place and date of mailing and with positivelyactuated devices for abrading and mutilatin g the face of the stamp, so as to insure against the possibility of a reuse of a stamp once canceled.

A further object of the device is to provide means for automatically feeding the mail to the postniarking and canceling devices, the

said feeding devices being designed and constructed to feed the letters or cards one by one irrespective of the thickness of the letter or card.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the parts and combinations of parts,

as will be more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is aview in vertical transverse section of the feeding and canceling mechanism. Fig. 3 is a similar View, partly in section and partly in side elevation. Fig. eis a front view, the drum being shown in section. Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal section of the mail marking and cutting roller. Figs. 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views of same. Fig. 8 is a-plan view of the marking and cutting device. Fig. 9 is a view in section showing the slide and the suction-pipes, and Fig. 10 is a view of the suction and tripping mechanism taken from the front.

A represents a support or standard prefer ably hollow, as shown, and carrying the pump B, the latter being located near the base of standard A and provided with a suction-pipe B, which latter extends upwardly, as shown, and terminates in the box B as shown in Fig. 9. This pump Bis actuatedbythe main shaft 0, and the latter is driven directly by a motor, or may, if desired, be provided with a band-wheel O. The shaft 0 also carries the band-wheel O and the latter is coupled up to the band wheel or pulley D by the band or belt D. The wheel or pulley D is secured on the shaft E, which latter carries the mail marking and cutting roller E.

While I have termed the part E a roller, I do not want to be understood that it is cylindrical in shape or that it approximates a cylinder in shape, as the term roller is used for convenience simply. The shaft carrying this roller is mounted in the frame F,

as shown clearly in Fig. 4, and as it is coupled up directly with the main driving-shaft 0 it is revolving constantly while the machine is in operation. This frame F, as shown. in Fig. 4., is designed to extend only part way over the letter, thus freely permitting the edge- Wise passage of all sizes of envelops.

The roller E rests immediately over the drum G and, as before stated, is secured to a shaft E, coupled up directly with the main driving-shaft C. The roller is provided with a seat for the reception of the frame E carrying the postmarking and canceling devices. This frame E is provided with a dovetailed seat E for the reception of the frame E carrying the marking-stamps E, which latter are preferably blocks or type having thereon the name of the post-office and the hour, day, month, and year, so that the envelop marked will show not only the mailing-office, but also the time the letter was marked. The block or type having the name of the office thereon may be permanently fixed in its frame E, as shown in Fig. 6, while those bearing the year, day, month, and hour are removable and are held in place by the latch E, as shown in Fig. 8, which latter also operates to hold the removable frame E in its normal position.

Located in line with the marking-stamps and carried by the frame E are the cutters or abraders I I, and preferably at points between the cutters or abraders are the canceling-stamps 1*. These canceling-stamps I are simply blocks having parallel ridges which project sufficiently to come in contact with and print lines on the face of the card or envelop, such as are now universally used in canceling stamps.

Stamps canceled by ink can be washed and reused, and one important feature of my invention is to combine with an ink canceling device means for abrading or mutilating the face of the stamp, so that the postal authorities may by the exercise of ordinary caution prevent the reuse of a stamp once canceled. The canceling device comprises, as before stated, inking-stamps and abradiug or mutilating devices; and it consists of the fixed cutters or abraders I, the movable cutters or abraders I, and the ink canceling blocks having parallel ridges 1 the latterbeing movable. In the present instance I show three movable cutters I and three sets of fixed cutters, the movable cutters being between the fixed cutters. These fixed cutters remain stationary with relation to the roller which carries them, and ordinarily simply hold the envelop against endwise movement, while the movable cutters move over the surface of the stamp and cut or abrade a series of parallel cuts across the face of the stamp. Hence while the cutters I do not ordinarily operate as cutters, still it will be seen that if the envelop should be moved endwise by the movable cutters the fixed cutters would then operate to mutilate or cut the parallel strips from the face of the stamp. Each cutter has a series of serrations resembling saw-teeth projecting upwardly a sufficient distance to remove the colored surface of the stamp, but not sufficient to completely sever the stamp, and the teeth on the two sets of cutters-to wit, the movable and fixed cutters-project in opposite directions, so that one set operates to hold the envelops while the other set cuts into the surface thereof. Each movable cutter I is fixed to a block H having inking ribs or ridges located parallel with and alongside of the cutting-teeth, so that the movements of the defacing devices not only cut into the face of the stamp, but also makes ink lines thereon parallel to the cuts or abraded surfaces, thus so defacing the stamp as to render a reuse of same without detection practically impossible. The blocks having ribbed and serrated faces are all seated within the frame E and the movable blocks are connected to the rods J by screws passing up from a plate carried by each rod through slots and engaging blocks H as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The rods J extend lengthwise the roller E and project through the same at one end, the projecting ends of the rods bein g beveled, while the opposite ends of the rods are engaged by the springs J, carried by the frame E the springs operating to force the beveled ends of the rods outwardly. The ends of these rods move in a path obstructed by the cam K (see Fig. 4) on the frame F. Hence it will be seen that once at each revolution of the roller E these rods successively come in contact with the cam K and are forced inwardly, thus moving the cutters and inking-blocks across the face of the stamp, and after the cam K has been passed the springs again return the cutters to their normal positions.

The frame E carrying the canceling device, may be secured to the roller E by any approved means; but for convenience I have shown it secured by a strap K, passing around the roller and engaging hooks K on the frame.

The inking devices for supplying the typeblocks and inking-ribs with ink comprise rollers L and L, journaled in the frame above the roller E. The main rollerLreceives the initial supply of ink, which may be applied thereto in the usual manner, and it in turn supplies the rollers L, both of which latter rollers are so located as to feed ink to the canceling devices. These rollers are preferably made of yielding material, so that they can make positive contact with the ink canceling devices without danger of injury thereto.

The drum G is mounted below the roller E and is preferably made of yielding material, so as to enable it to yield or give under the pressure of the marking and canceling de= vices. This drum G is made in sections, the larger section of which is secured on the shaft G, mounted at its ends in the spring-supported bearings G The sections G3 of the drum are independent of the main section G and are located directly under the stamp-canceling devices, and each is supported on an independent support which permits it to yield or give independently of the other sections. Each support for the sections G comprises a stud G carrying a spring G on which rests the socketed bearing G having upwardlyprojecting arms G to each of which is pivoted a yoke G carrying rollers at its ends. These rollers support the sections G of the drum, and as each roller is independent of the others and as each is provided with an enlarged hub loosely embracing the shaft G it follows that each section can move inde-.

peudently of the other, and thus give or yield under varying thicknesses.

It frequently happens that in letters or packages the bulk of the matteris at one end of the envelop. When the end farthest removed from the stamps is thicker than the stamped end of the envelop, the canceling devices in the machines now in use fail to reach the stamps; but with my device the movable sections G3 of the drum G support the stamped end and force it, irrespective of its thickness, into contact'with the canceling devices. The socketed bearings G are held in place and prevented from displacement by the screw-bolt M passing through the projection M in the side of the bearing. The drum thus constructed rests under the roller E and is turned simply by contact with the moving envelop, which latter is positively moved by its contact with the canceling devices.

The mail-matter to be canceled is deposited on a bracket N, which latter is removably and adjustably secured to the endless band or belt N. This band or belt is provided at IIO intervals with eyelets and the bracket N with hooks N Hence it will be seen that the bracket can be removed and adjusted to suit any quantity of mail-matter within the capacity of the belt. The endless belt passes around the roller 0, which latter carries the friction-wheel O. This wheel 0 is provided with a beveled periphery, as is common with wheels of this character, and is so located as to be engaged at its periphery by the cam P and adjustable plate P, carried by the cam P. The cam and plate are adapted to overlap the beveled edge of the wheel 0, and once at each revolution of the cam impart an intermittent movement to the friction-wheel O and the belt N. The wheel 0 is, as before stated, periodically engaged by the cam and plate. l-Iencein order to prevent a backward movement of the belt, due to the weight of the letters thereon, I have provided the roller 0 with a ratchet-wheel O and have pivoted adog O to the side of the frame carrying the delivery-apron N. This dog remains constantly in contact with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and absolutely prevents a retrograde movement of the feeding-belt. To prevent too rapid feed by the belt, I have provided a second ratchet-wheel O on the roller 0 and arranged a pawl O to engage same at intervals,and thus temporarily check the feed. This dog 0 is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel O and when out of engagement the wheel 0 is free to be revolved by the frictional devices P and P, before referred to. WVhen, however, the

pawl O is in engagement with the-ratchetwheel 0 the latter, together with the roller 0, are locked against forward movement, and

if wheel 0 be engaged by the friction devices 0 P and P while locked by the pawl O the friction devices simply slide over or on the wheel without imparting any movement thereto.

The pawl O is held out of contact by a bellcrank lever, which latter is composed of the approximately horizontal member P and the depending member P one or both of said members being adjustably secured on the shaft P so that they may be adjusted relat-ively to each other. The weight of this bellcrank lever resting on the short member of the pawlO holds the latter normally out of engagement with its ratchet-wheel O and thus permits the friction-wheel O to be turned each time it is engaged by the friction de vices. The depending member P of the bellcrank lever rests in the path of themail as it is fed up by the belt N, and it will be seen that as soon as the top letter or card strikes the lower end of the member P of the bell crank lever it turns the latter, thus elevating the horizontal member P thereof and permitting the dog 0 to drop and engage its ratchet, and thus hold the feeding-belt stationary. After the top letter has been removed by the suction feeding devices, to be now described, the bell-crank lever drops, again actuates the pawl 0 and leaves the friction-Wheel 0 free to be revolved by the friction devices P P.

It will be noticed that the depending member P of the bell-crank lever rests but slightly below the top of the shaft 0, over which the letters are carried to the marking and canceling devices, and when the top letter of the batch is being fed comes in contact with the depending member P of the bell-crank lever it is also in the immediate vicinity of the telescopic end B of the suction-pipe B The suction-pipe B is carried by the slide Q, which, as shown, is slidingly mounted in the slideway Q, secured to the frame F. This slide Q is inclined, as shown, and is provided on its inner face with the rollers Q between which the cam P on the shaft E moves. From this it will be seen that as the shaft E revolves the cam P moves in contact with the rollers Q and reciprocates the slide once with each revolution of the shaft E, which, as before explained, carries the postmarking and canceling device.

Pivotally secured to the slide Q is the lever B. This lever extends laterally and downwardly,as shown,and passes between the pins R on the section B of the suction-pipe. Engaging the lever B at a point near its attachment with the slide Q is the lever S, pivoted at s to the rod S, depending from the frame F. This lever S is located at right angles to the lever B, with its free end under lever R, near the pivotal point of the latter, and is actuated by the cam S on shaft E. Hence it will be seen that bythe elevation of the free end of lever S the free end of the lever B is also elevated, thus lifting the section B of the suction-pipe and causing same to slide on or telescope with the section B of said pipe. As lever S is at right angles to the lever B and rests with its free end under the latter, it will be seen that the slide carrying the lever R is free to move longitudinally without interference from the lever S.

As shown in Fig. 9, the section B of the suction-pipe is secured to the slide Q, while the main pipe B, leading from the suctionpump 13, connects with the box B carried by the slideway Q. By means of the box 13* the pipe B is in communication with the pipe B while the former is in the position shown in Fig. 2 and for a time while pipes I) and B are moving to the left or toward the canceling devices. When the letter has been carried so that it rests on the drum G in a position to be engaged by the canceling devices,

the opening leading from pipe B passes the open mouth of the box 13 thus cutting off the suction from the pipe B and allowing the. latsuction, thus causing the top letter or'card to rise and adhere to the lower open end of the section B of the suction-pipe. The cam S acting on the lever S, operates to cause the section B of the suction-tube to rise or telescope 011 the section B, and the cam P, acting against the rollers Q causes the slide Q to move laterally to the left. As soon as the letter or card has been carried by the suc-- tion-tube to a position to be engaged by the canceling device the slide closes the suctionpipe B, thus releasing the letter. As soon, however, as the card or letter has been carried laterally from under the arm P the latter drops, thus again elevating the pawl O and starting the feeding-apron, which thus elevates the letters so that the next one is in position to be taken up by the suctiontube as soon as the latter gets back to the position shown in Fig. 2. These motions are continuous while the machine is in operation, and as it is automatic in its entire operation it is only necessary for the operator to see that the feeding-apron is kept supplied with mail-matter. The letters as they are canceled and postmarked fall from between the canceling and postmarking devices onto the fingers T, which latter rest with their free ends against the drum G. 'After the letter has been deposited on the fingers the latter are thrown outwardly on the table T by the lever T which latter rests under the roller 25, carried by the arm 15, fast on the shaft 25 carrying the fingers. The lever T is pivoted at t and carries at its inner end a roller 29*, which moves in contact with the cam t on the shaft E. Thus it will be seen that as the end of lever T carrying roller t is depressed the longer arm of the lever is elevated, thus causing the fingers T to be thrown to the position shown in Fig. 3. By providing shaft with a counterweight i or by connecting the shaft t with a spring the fingers are thrown back to their normal positions just as soon as the roller 11 engages the concentric portion of cam t.

It is evident that numerous slight changes might be resorted to in the relative arrangement of parts herein shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I would have it understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein shown and described; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a feeding device, of a roller, movable cutters carried by said roller and means for positively actuating said cutters while the roller is rotating.

2. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with feeding devices, of a roller, stationary and movable cutters carried by said roller, and means for positively actuating said movable cutters while the roller is rotating.

3. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with feeding devices, of a roller, print ing devices and a movable cutter carried by said roller and means for positively actuating said cutter while the roller is rotating.

4:. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with feeding devices, of a roller, stationary and movable cutters, printing devices carried by said roller and means for positively actuating said movable cutters While the roller is rotating.

5. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with feeding devices, of a roller, removable characters or type carried by said roller for postmarking the mail and stamp-canceling device also carried by said roller, the stamp-canceling device comprisinga movable cutter, and means for actuating said cutter.

6. In a mail-marking machine, the combi nation with feeding devices,of a roller, removable characters or type carried by said roller for postmarking the mail, and stamp-canceling devices also carried by said roller, the said stamp-canceling devices comprising stationary and movable cutters, and means for actuating the movable cutters.

7. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with feeding devices, of a roller, and stamp-cancelin g devicescarried by said roller, the said stamp-canceling devices comprising a movable cutter for mutilating the face of the stamp and printing-surfaces for printing characters on the stamp.

8. In a mail marking machine, the combination with feeding devices, of a roller and stamp-cancelin g devices and postmarking device carried by said roller, the said stampcanceling devices comprising a movable cutter for mutilating the face of the stamp and printing device for making ink impressions over the face of the stamp.

9. In a mail-marking machine the combination with a roller and movable cutter carried by said roller, of means for positively actuating said cutter while the roller is rotating.

10. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a roller, of a longitudinally-movable cutter carried by said roller, a spring-actuated rod secured to the cutter and projectin g beyond the end of the roller, and a stationary cam for moving the rod endwise in one direction.

11. The combination with a feeding device, of a roller, movable cutters and printing devices carried by said roller, means for positively actuating said cutters While the roller is rotating and means for supplying ink to the printing-surfaces.

12. The combination with a roller, a movable cutter carried by said roller, and means for positively actuating said cutter while the roller is rotating of a suction device for feeding the letters to the canceling device.

13. The combination with a roller, a movable cutter carried by said roller and means for positively actuating said cutter While the roller is rotating, of a feeding-belt, and a suction device for carrying the letters from the belt to the canceling devices.

14. The combination with a roller, a feeding device, a movable cutter carried by said roller and means for positively actuating the cutter when the roller is rotating, of a yielding drum located under the roller and adapted to support the mail-matter being canceled.

15. In a mail-marking device the combination with a roller and a canceling device carried by said roller, said canceling device comprising a movable cutter and means for positively actuating same While the roller is 1'0- tating, of a drum composed of a series of independently-yielding cylindrical sections for supporting the mail while the latter is pass ing the canceling device.

16. The combination with a roller and a canceling device carried by said roller, the said canceling device comprising a movable cutter and means for positively actuating same while the roller is rotating, of a drum composed of a series of independent cylindrical sections for supporting the mail while the latter is passing the canceling device, and a yielding support for each cylindrical section. 1

17. The combination with a roller and a canceling device carried by said roller, the said canceling device comprising a movable cutter and means for positively actuating same when the roller is rotating of a drum composed of a series of independently-yield ing cylindrical sections, the sections thereof adjacent to the stamped end of the envelop being narrower than the main section of the drum.

18. The combination with a roller, a movable cutter carried by said roller and means for positively actuating said cutter, of a slide, means for reciprocating same and a suctiontnbe carried by the slide.

19. The combination with a canceling device comprising a roller, a movable cutter carried thereby and means for actuating the cutter, of a frame, a slide mounted in said frame, a suction-pump, and a suction-pipe carried by the slide and adapted to carry the mail to the canceling device.

20. In mail-marking devices, the combination with a roller, a movable cutter carried thereby and means for actuating the cutter, of a slide, means for reciprocating the latter, a suction-pump and a suction-pipe a portion of which is carried by the slide.

21. The combination with a canceling device, of a slid'eway, a slide therein, a suctionpump, a pipe leading from the latter to the slideway and a pipe carried by the slide and adapted to communicate with the pipe leading to the slideway.

22. In mail-marking devices, the combination with a canceling device, of a slideway, a slide therein a suction-pump, a pipe leading from the latter to the slideway, and a telescopic suction-pipe carried by the slide.

23. The combination with a canceling device, of a slideway, a slide therein, a suctionpump, a pipe leading from the latter to the slideway, a telescopic suction-pipe carried by the slide, and means for elongating and shortening the telescopic pipe.

24. The combination with a canceling device, of a feeding-belt, a trip for temporarily locking the belt against movement, a bracket or shelf removably secured to the belt and means for conveying the mail-matter from the shelf to the canceling devices.

25. The combination with a canceling device, of a feeding-belt, a trip for locking the belt against movement, friction devices for intermittingly feeding the belt and devices for conveying the mail from the belt to the canceling devices.

26. The combination with canceling devices, of a feeding-belt, means for moving the belt and a trip for locking the belt against further movement.

27. The combination with a canceling device, of an inclined feeding-belt, means for moving the belt, a trip for locking the belt against movement and means for preventing retrograde movement of the belt.

28. The combination with a canceling device, of an inclined feeding-belt, friction devices for intermittingly feeding the belt, a

trip for locking the belt against movement.

ing witnesses.

EDWARD M. JUDD. Witnesses:

A. W. BRIGHT, G. F. DOWNING. 

